Duquesne Expands Partnership with Radnor Property Group and Harrison Street to Improve On-Campus Housing in St. Martin Hall

Duquesne University has announced an official agreement to transfer St. Martin Hall, a residence hall on the University’s campus, to Radnor Property Group LLC (Radnor) and Harrison Street and to enter into a partnership agreement with the two entities.

The St. Martin arrangement is very similar to the agreement completed in May 2018 when Duquesne transferred Brottier Hall to Radnor and Harrison Street. Radnor and Harrison Street jointly own Brottier Hall, and the new agreement expands the Duquesne partnership with Radnor and Harrison Street to a second property.

The St. Martin partnership includes a planned renovation of the property for the primary benefit of Duquesne students. The project will provide an enhanced, high-quality living experience for Duquesne students living in St. Martin, beginning in fall 2021.

Duquesne’s Office of Residence Life will continue to provide resident services, programming and student oversight within the building, in addition to managing room selection and assignment. The partnership will ensure that Duquesne’s upper-year students will have first priority to live in the newly renovated building. Duquesne will continue to own and operate the facility through the remainder of the spring semester.

“We are thrilled to be working with Radnor and Harrison Street on another very positive development for Duquesne students,” said Duquesne President Ken Gormley. “Our work together on the Brottier Hall project gave us great confidence in their excellent work and made us eager to partner again. Student feedback has been extremely positive, and I expect this announcement will be met with similar enthusiasm; these first-class renovations will add more varied and high-quality space for students living on campus.”

The redevelopment will include major renovations to the entire property, which are expected to begin in May. When completed, St. Martin will offer enhancements including:

  • suite-style units with shared integral bathrooms, kitchenettes, and a mix of single- and double-occupancy bedrooms;
  • existing common area restrooms and lounge spaces will be converted into floor area lounges including five quiet study floors, three gathering floors, and five community kitchen floors;
  • a remodeled ground floor entrance; and
  • upgrades and replacements to the building’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems.

“We could not be happier that our presence in Pittsburgh is now twice established in such a highly visible place,” said David Yeager, managing partner of Radnor Property Group. “With the Brottier Hall project, we were able to complete a real showpiece for the highly attractive work we can do. St. Martin will be a great project for us to show even more of what we can accomplish with great partners.”

Christopher Merrill, Harrison Street’s Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “This project is consistent with Harrison Street’s strategy of developing long-term partnerships with top-tier universities and best in class developers to enhance the student experience. We are pleased to collaborate once more with Duquesne University and Radnor to provide high-quality student accommodations and bring modernized amenities to undergraduate and graduate students at the university.”

Building operations (maintenance and custodial) will be coordinated by Capstone On-Campus Management, working closely with Duquesne’s Office of Residence Life, under a shared governance arrangement. Radnor will undertake development management responsibilities and, along with Harrison Street, will provide equity capital for the venture.

Duquesne constructed St. Martin Hall in 1961. The building features traditional double occupancy units that have the capacity to house approximately 536 students, historically freshmen. When completed, the newly renovated facility will accommodate 323 upper-year and graduate students. Beginning in fall 2020, freshmen will reside in Assumption Hall, St. Ann Hall, and Duquesne Towers.